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Why God Wants Us
to be Michael Lewis October 1, 2006 |
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“Why God Wants Us to be
Immersed into Christ”
By
Michael L. Lewis
Dalton Gardens Church of Christ
October 1, 2006
The who, how and what for about Biblical baptism…
Mark 1:4 John 3:23 Matthew 3:13-17
“Baptizo” To immerse under water. Changed by men in 325 AD Council of Nicaea.
“plenty of water” “went down into…came up out of”
Who: JESUS
.
Why: To fulfill all RIGHTEOUSNESS
.
How: IMMERSED . Matthew 28:19
Acts 2: 37-38, 41
Who:
PEOPLE
HEARING
SERMON .
Why: CUT
TO HEART .
How: REPENTED &
IMMERSED .
Acts 8:12
Who: MEN
& WOMEN .
Why: BELIEVED .
How: IMMERSED .
Acts 8:36-40 “As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.” NASU
Who: TRAVELER
.
Why: BELIEVED
WITH ALL
HEART .
How: IMMERSED
INTO CHRIST
.
Romans 6:3-4 “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” NIV
How: IMMERSED
INTO
CHRIST .
Why: REENACT
BURIAL AND
RESURRECTION .
Eph 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV
Gal 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV
Who: CHRISTIANS
IMMERSED .
Why: TO
BE CHRIST .
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
Conclusions – Why Does God want us to be Immersed into Christ:
1. It provides a way for us to express our FAITH .
2. It is a symbol of cleansing for our CONSCIOUS .
1 Peter 3:20-21 “In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.” NIV
Acts 22:16 “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” NIV
3. It provides us with a way to claim PARTICIPATION with what Jesus did on the cross for us.
4. It is a source of FELLOWSHIP .
Eph 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” NIV
Mark 16:15-16 "Go into all the world and preach
the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” NIV